Parisette bounced along happily, approaching the spot that she had planned to meet the leopard pair with eagerness. They didn’t know it, but this was totally a date. Parisette was just a…chaperone, or something. Someone to guide them to realise that they were secretly in love and that they would only be happy if they admitted it to themselves and each other. It was all so romantic! She swooned lightly, before giggling slightly, her girlish side coming out full force now that she was away from the pride and away from her cubs. She felt years younger than she was, which was a lovely thing to experience. Not that she was…old, but she wasn’t a cub anymore, that was for sure.
The pair was already at their meeting spot, both of them reluctant. It was obvious what Parisette thought of them, considering she often slipped and called them a couple.
“What should we do, Dysi?” Sukanya asked, seeking his guidance as she watched the bright lioness approach. The female was very sweet, but Sukanya and Dysi weren’t a couple! They had been once but not now, so it was weird to hear someone talk to them like they still were.
“Pretend we’re together?” Dysi suggested dryly, earning a frown from Sukanya. “I’m joking, Suki,” he said with a chuckle. “We’ll just act normal and maybe she’ll come to realise we’re not together on her own.”
“We could just tell her,” Sukanya pointed out,rising to her feet as Parisette was drawing closer.
“That’d hurt her feelings, I think, plus I doubt she’d believe us,” Dysi said with a sigh, rising to his feet.
“So, act normal?” Sukanya asked
“Act normal,” Dysi agreed, and smiled at Parisette as she finally came close enough. “Hullo Parisette. How are you this morning?”
“I’m brilliant!” Parisette announced brightly, and grinned at them. “How are you two?” She asked, not bothering to sit down because they had a looong day of pretty, romantic things to gaze at. She giggled inwardly. This was going to be so perfect.
“I’m alright,” Dysi chuckled, amused by the lioness’ attitude. Annoying at times, yes, but still adorable. Like a cub.
“I’m tired, but otherwise, I’m okay,” Sukayna said, offering a small smile. She was often tired, so it wasn’t unusual. She’d napped a little last night, so she didn’t feel exhausted since it was morning though, so that was nice.
“Great! So we’re all good to get going?” Parisette asked, and received two nods. “Brilliant! Follow me!”
“Weren’t we supposed to be showing you around?” Dysi asked, following behind the bouncy and rather excited looking lioness, sharing an amused look with Sukanya.
“You can show me around after this,” Parisette rushed to explain. “I found a lovely place nearby that I wanted to show you!” It was sooo beautiful and romantic; surely it would encourage the pair. She grinned and bounced forward, leaving the leopards to follow along anyway.
It was a rather beautiful landscape, Dysi had to admit, when they finally arrived. The main features was a lovely crisp stream which flowed down the banks of two beautifully green hills. It was all very pretty and calm. There were plenty of flowers around, and Dysi hid a grin. His daughters would love this place, he mused, already memorising the trip so he could bring them back some day, when Parisette was no longer around. He didn’t really want the lioness around his cubs, because she might tell them stories of a new mother that wasn’t going to happen. He couldn’t risk his daughters like that.
Sukanya loved the landscape as well, smiling at the butterflies which fluttered around playfully. She usually missed out on these kind of scenes while travelling at night. Her eyes were good, but butterflies were rarely out at night.
“It’s lovely, Parisette,” Sukanya admitted, smiling at the lioness.
Parisette beamed like a cub, pleased that her new friends had liked it. “I’m so glad!” She bounced on her paws. Her plan was in motion! Yesss. “I thought you two might enjoy it here,” she encouraged, moving further into the landscape.
“It’s just so pretty,” Dysi chuckled, grabbing one of the flowers and offering it to Parisette. The lioness took it with a giggle, and tucked it behind her ear, watching as Dysi repeated the motion to Sukanya.
The leopardess looked amused but allowed him to place it behind her ear, returning the favour by picking up a pink daisy like flower and placing it atop his head. He grinned like a child at the gesture and Parisette barely held back a squeal of delight. They were just so cute together? Why couldn’t they see that?
Glancing up at the sun and then back down she gasped, acting as if she were surprised. “Oh no!” She murmured, getting both leopards attention. “I forgot, I was meant to meet a friend at my den before noon!” She groaned. “I’m so sorry, can we do this later?” She asked, her eyes going wide in a way she knew Dysi couldn’t resist.
The leopard male stared at those huge eyes and caved soon enough. “That’s okay, do you want us to walk you back?” He asked, and was quickly shut down by the lioness.
“Oh, it’s fine! You two stay, enjoy yourself!” She smiled at them, regretfully. “Hopefully I can come back later on!” She didn’t plan to, actually. This was the perfect atmosphere for romance, and her presence was probably just going to ruin it, so she should just disappear off and let the romance bloom.
She called out her farewells and hustled away from the pair.
Sukanya and Dysi stared after her, looking both amused and baffled. “Do you get the feeling we were just set up?” Dysi asked, with a laugh, glancing at Sukanya.
“You think so too?” Sukanya asked, unable to hold back her own laugh. “At least it’s a beautiful landscape?” She glanced around, with a smile.
“I have beautiful company too,” Dysi said, unable to resist, winking at Sukanya. She giggled instantly, brushing up against him with a loving look.
“Thank you, you’re not bad yourself,” she said, with a wink that didn’t’ suit her in the slightest. Dysi laughed and bumped her, resulting in a playfight, that had them tumbling down the hill towards the stream, their laughter echoing.
By the side of the hill, Parisette watched, utterly delighted with her plan. Perfect! She giggled, she was a match-making genius.
[Word Count: 1,078]
